Literary Terms and Background Information

EPIC Long, narrative poem that recounts the adventures of one or more heroes in grave and stately language EPITHET A phrase that describes or identifies a person, place, or thing (Hector, tamer of horses)

EPIC HERO *embodied ideals of a civilization *appeared larger than life *actions were often important to the history of a civilization *the hero is protected and advised by divine forces (gods and goddesses) *gods intervened in heroes’ lives to help, harm, or punish

Trojan War: war fought against Trojans by the Greeks Trojan War: war fought against Trojans by the Greeks Approx B.C. Approx B.C. In reality, the war is believed to have been fought to gain control of the Dardanelles, the water passage between the Mediterranean and Black Seas In reality, the war is believed to have been fought to gain control of the Dardanelles, the water passage between the Mediterranean and Black Seas Troy was located near this waterway Troy was located near this waterway

For many years, the Iliad was believed to be total fiction For many years, the Iliad was believed to be total fiction 1870: Heinrich Schliemann began excavations and found evidence of Troy and a war—Troy was the 7 th of 9 cities found 1870: Heinrich Schliemann began excavations and found evidence of Troy and a war—Troy was the 7 th of 9 cities found

Heinrich Schliemann & his wife, Sophie

Mask of Agamemnon Found next to skeletal remains Found next to skeletal remains

Story of the Iliad Story of Achilles, the greatest Greek warrior, and his slaying of the Trojan hero, Hector Story of Achilles, the greatest Greek warrior, and his slaying of the Trojan hero, Hector In the epic, the Trojan War was fought to recover Helen, Queen of Sparta (known as the most beautiful woman in the world) In the epic, the Trojan War was fought to recover Helen, Queen of Sparta (known as the most beautiful woman in the world) Helen was called “the face that launched 1,000 ships” Helen was called “the face that launched 1,000 ships”

She is the wife of King Menelaus of Sparta She is the wife of King Menelaus of Sparta Helen is “kidnapped” by Paris, the son of King Priam of Troy Helen is “kidnapped” by Paris, the son of King Priam of Troy Menelaus vows revenge; he calls upon the kings and princes of Greece to help him fight the Trojans Menelaus vows revenge; he calls upon the kings and princes of Greece to help him fight the Trojans King Agamemnon of Mycenae, Menelaus’ brother, is chosen as commander in chief (nepotism) King Agamemnon of Mycenae, Menelaus’ brother, is chosen as commander in chief (nepotism)

Preparation for the war took 2 years—Greeks built 1,000 ships and rallied 100,000 men Preparation for the war took 2 years—Greeks built 1,000 ships and rallied 100,000 men In the meantime, the Trojans were preparing to defend themselves against the Greeks In the meantime, the Trojans were preparing to defend themselves against the Greeks King Priam of Troy is too old to fight himself; he has gathered supplies for a long battle and formed alliances with neighbors King Priam of Troy is too old to fight himself; he has gathered supplies for a long battle and formed alliances with neighbors Troy is protected by impenetrable walls Troy is protected by impenetrable walls Key defenders of Troy: Hector, Aeneas, Sarpedon Key defenders of Troy: Hector, Aeneas, Sarpedon

The Greeks unsuccessfully besiege Troy for 9 years The Greeks unsuccessfully besiege Troy for 9 years Achilles and Agamemnon quarrel (pride) and Achilles refuses to fight for him any longer Achilles and Agamemnon quarrel (pride) and Achilles refuses to fight for him any longer Patroclus, Achilles’ friend, takes over the Myrmidons (Achilles’ army) and is killed; Achilles returns to the fighting to get revenge Patroclus, Achilles’ friend, takes over the Myrmidons (Achilles’ army) and is killed; Achilles returns to the fighting to get revenge

Achilles kills Hector, but is later killed himself Achilles kills Hector, but is later killed himself The Greeks lose hope without Achilles The Greeks lose hope without Achilles Odysseus, the most cunning of the Greeks, devises the Trojan Horse strategy Odysseus, the most cunning of the Greeks, devises the Trojan Horse strategy 100 warriors hidden inside horse; rest pretend to sail home 100 warriors hidden inside horse; rest pretend to sail home Trojans accept the horse as a gift Trojans accept the horse as a gift

Cassandra, Hector’s sister, warned the Trojans that the horse was a trick, but they didn’t believe her---Apollo had given her the gift of prophecy but cursed her so no one would believe her Cassandra, Hector’s sister, warned the Trojans that the horse was a trick, but they didn’t believe her---Apollo had given her the gift of prophecy but cursed her so no one would believe her By morning, Troy had burned to the ground with few survivors By morning, Troy had burned to the ground with few survivors Helen returns to Menelaus and the Greeks sail home—Menelaus was going to kill Helen at first, but changed his mind when he saw her Helen returns to Menelaus and the Greeks sail home—Menelaus was going to kill Helen at first, but changed his mind when he saw her

Other Findings From Troy Bronze seal Figurine With writing

Religious Statue…maybe?

Map of Odysseus’ Wanderings

Mycenaean Greece